Zomato told to delist repeat food safety violators, tighten checks in Cyberabad

The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) has directed online food delivery platform Zomato to strengthen its verification process for restaurants and other food businesses before onboarding them. The directive includes mandatory checks of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences and their validity, as well as the category of business for which the licence has been issued.

The matter was discussed during a follow-up meeting between CMC Commissioner G. Srijana and representatives of Zomato's legal team on Friday, August 7, 2026. The meeting was part of the civic body's ongoing food safety inspections and its broader coordination with online food delivery platforms operating within the city.

According to the CMC, the discussions centred on delisting Food Business Operators (FBOs) that have been found repeatedly violating food safety and hygiene norms. The corporation also insisted on stronger compliance checks before establishments, which had earlier faced action over violations, are permitted to return to the platform. This is aimed at preventing habitual offenders from circumventing regulatory scrutiny.

The civic body specifically asked Zomato to verify the FSSAI licence number, its validity, and the category of business for which the licence was issued before onboarding any establishment. In addition, the CMC raised concerns about multiple establishments operating under a single FSSAI licence, which can obscure accountability and make enforcement difficult. The platform was asked to take measures to prevent such practices.

Zomato representatives assured the corporation of their full cooperation in implementing measures aimed at strengthening compliance at the platform level. The CMC said the platform has expressed willingness to work with authorities to address these concerns, though no specific timeline was mentioned.

The move comes as part of the CMC's wider efforts to ensure food safety across the city. Online food delivery aggregators have become a major channel for restaurants and small food businesses, and the civic body has been focusing on making these platforms accountable for the quality and hygiene of the establishments listed on them. Earlier, the CMC had conducted inspections of restaurants and issued notices to those found flouting norms. The engagement with delivery platforms is seen as a complementary step to reach businesses that operate primarily through online orders.

Food safety regulations in India require all food business operators to obtain an FSSAI licence or registration, depending on their scale of operations. The licence details, including the type of business, are meant to be displayed prominently. However, authorities have often found mismatches between the licensed entity and the actual business being run, leading to regulatory gaps.

The CMC's directive to Zomato is likely to be followed by similar engagements with other leading food delivery platforms. While the corporation has not made any public statement on penalties, it has made clear that strict action will be taken against establishments that repeatedly violate food safety norms. For consumers, the move is expected to bring greater transparency and reliability to online food ordering.